April 1, 2007

DAVIS, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's water polo team played another close game Sunday afternoon against Colorado State University. With a 7-6 lead late in the game, Kristin Barnes blocked the Rams' last ditch effort at the buzzer to preserve the victory. Amy Lamb scored two goals, and Liz Perry, Meg Zimmerman and Katie Radvanyi combined for seven kickouts drawn.

After Lamb got the Broncos started less than a minute into the game, Colorado State got busy with two goals of their own before the end of the first quarter. But in the second quarter, Santa Clara dominated, getting three unanswered goals from Jenny Knutson, Lamb and Andrea Evans, who extended her goal-scoring streak to five games.

Santa Clara carried a 4-2 lead into the second half, and both teams continued pressuring the other. Goals from Claire Linney and Emily Bonk helped the Broncos extend their lead as high as three goals, and later in the third quarter Christie Miller scored to maintain the Broncos three-goal lead as they entered the fourth quarter leading 7-4.

But Colorado State gained ground in the fourth and put the pressure on the Broncos defense. Kristin Barnes finished the game with eight blocks, including a key stop at the buzzer to preserve the Broncos 7-6 victory.

With the win, the Broncos finished the Aggie Shootout 3-1, tied with Cal State Northridge for second best record behind host UC Davis who was undefeated this weekend. Santa Clara improved its record to 17-11 overall, 12-3 in the Western Water Polo Association. The Broncos will now enjoy nearly two weeks off before taking on UCSB at San Jose State on Saturday, April 14, and then hosting UC Santa Cruz on Sunday, April 15.